4×4 Awnings: Increase Your Comfort on the Road

I am one of those people who cannot wait for the weather to get warmer to hit the road. And I feel lucky to have found a soulmate who also loves travelling and nature. Every weekend a new place and a new adventure – we were happy with just the two of us, our 4WD and a stash of food. It was only when our family grew that we’ve started bringing along some additional things. A very practical accessory we felt we needed to get was an awning for car. It was a great decision considering how little ones need to play somewhere away from the piercing sun, and chilling under the shade is definitely a lot better than staying in the car.

While it’s certainly not a must-have 4WD accessory, an awning for car can surely make a whole lot of difference. It’s essentially a foldable cover that’s light and compact to carry around in your trunk or in a roof box. And once you’ve found the perfect place, you can bring it out and quickly attach it to the roof rack or roof bar of the vehicle. In only a few minutes, you’ll have a nice shady spot to relax even if you’re in the middle of nowhere.

When looking for an awning, one should always consider the materials it’s made of. It’s best to have a tough awning made of quality canvas than one made of cheap, flimsy nylon. You should also check whether the fabric has been treated with protective coatings and is UV and water-resistant. Besides the canopy, the other elements of an awning are also very important. Most frames are usually made of aluminium which is strong enough to hold the canopy up when mounted on the vehicle. On the other hand, when it comes to fittings, the best material is stainless steel. Plastic fittings can be tricky, so make sure to avoid them. What’s more, quality stitching, reinforced seams and poles that do not wobble are all signs of quality construction.

With the help of a few additional accessories, an awning for car can be turned into a very functional space. For instance, you can add additional curtains for privacy, a mosquito net for protection, roll out a rug for that extra comfort, put up foldable chairs and a table – and voila, you have a complete outdoor room on your disposal. What’s more, by lining the sides of your awning with some LED light strips and placing some lanterns, you can extend its use even after the sun has set.